October 12, 2008

Bible Study, Chapter 7

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It’s impossible to talk about Christianity without talking about faith.  In Luke 7, faith takes center stage.  You’ll read four episodes about people of faith… and doubt.  Although it’s easy to miss, you should also note that it each of the 4 episodes, the main character never actually speaks directly to Jesus.  These are examples of ‘faith at a distance.’ In a sense, this is the kind of faith we live with every day.

            Read through chapter 6 and then peruse the appropriate verses as you study each section.

 

 

Verses 1 - 10

This encounter is quite unusual.  A fairly wealthy, non-Jewish, professional soldier demonstrates a high regard for the Jewish faith and for Jesus.  What’s important about this story is that this man understands the relationship between faith and authority. 

            - Who has faith?

            - Who has authority?

            - Over whom, or what, does Jesus have authority in this story?

            - What do you make of this connection between faith and authority?

            - In what way is our faith still connected to the authority of Jesus?

 

 

 

Verses 11 – 17

It’s hard to imagine a more desperate situation than that experienced by a widow in the ancient world. No insurance of any kind was available... not health, mortgage, deposit, etc.  No one had a pension plan.  No one had savings accounts.  Typically, women were not home owners and couldn’t carry on a deceased husband’s business.  A widow was almost entirely dependent upon her children and charity.  When a widow’s only son dies, this is a desperate situation.

            - What motivates Jesus in this story?

            - Notice what doesn’t motivate Jesus in this episode: Who is said to have faith in this story?

            - Typically, we assume that Jesus responds to the faith of people.  However, this story seems to indicate that Jesus responds according to his own compassion.  If this is true, what impact does this have on your faith in Jesus?

 

 

 

Verses 18 – 35

You’ll need to remember that John is in prison, where he will soon be martyred.  John is in prison primarily because of his association with Jesus.  If you review what John was expecting from Jesus (see Luke 3:7-9 for example), you’ll discover that John was certainly anticipating evil would be put in its place.  And yet John is suffering under the very evil he would have expected Jesus to be confronting.  Therefore, John’s uncertainty with Jesus is probably understandable.

            - What are some circumstances in which you’ve been disappointed by Jesus?  Take the time to carefully think through your disappointment.  What did you expect from Jesus?

            - Jesus does not directly answer John’s question (in verse 19).  Instead, Jesus answers with a kind of video lesson.  To answer, note what Jesus does (verse 21).  Then, note what Jesus says (verse 22, 23).  How do you interpret this answer?  In light of the disappointment you might have identified above, how do you think Jesus would respond to you?

            - Jesus clearly has great regard for John.  Yet, how do you understand what Jesus is saying about John in verse 28?

            - Note who agrees with Jesus and who doesn’t (verses 29 & 30).  This causes Jesus to lament that these people – the religious leaders – just can’t be made happy!  Verse 35 suggests that the proof of Jesus’ ministry is in the lives of his followers.  How is this so?

            -  What does your life suggest to others about the effectiveness of Jesus’ ministry?

 

 

 

Verses 36 – 50

This is a straightforward & relatively easy to understand story-within-a-story.  Perhaps the one subtle lesson in the story occurs in verses 39 & 40.  Simon believes Jesus is a failed prophet since Jesus apparently does not recognize a sinful woman.  However, Jesus surprises Simon by understanding his thoughts—the very thing Simon thought Jesus could not do!

            - Summarize the simple lesson of Jesus’ story in verse 41 & 42.

            - Simon is a man who has dedicated his life to being a Godly kind of guy.  How has he failed?

            - How is Simon a warning for us?

            - In the ‘upside-down’ kingdom of God, this woman’s brokenness has resulted in an expression of great gratitude for Jesus.  The end result for her: Forgiveness and peace   (verse 50).  Typically, we do everything we can to avoid brokenness.  Why is this so?             What good comes from brokenness?

            - How did this woman demonstrate ‘faith’ in this story?

 

 

 

Summary

What are some of the big ideas you’ve learned in chapter 7?

In light of what you’ve learned, is there any God-business you need to take care of in the immediate future?